The Unspoken Truths About a Najdi Ramadan

Unless you have a death wish, stay clear of the remote control while your elders are present. To the untrained mind this might appear to be their routine of keeping up with their shows, but we all know that it’s tradition.

There always has to be enough food.

Some families put out all the iftar at once, while some wait until after everyone returns from prayers. Whichever one it is, we all know that the following meal will be the loudest your family will ever get; conversations never waiver. That is until (insert your family’s Ramadan show here) comes on… Traditions.

You’ll probably see your family (extended especially) twice as much as you usually do.

Ramadan is just as much about family as it is about religion. Extended family you only see once a year come out of the woods with invitations. Dust off your jalabiyas ladies -gents you pretty much wear the same thing anyways- and bring on the azeemas (gatherings).

Traffic is insufferable the hours before maghrib prayer.

Occasionally while we’re seething because athan is seconds away and containing our road rage like good Muslims, a stranger will tap on your window with a boxed iftar to remind you what Ramadan is really about.

“Be home by 11 p.m.,” is a phrase no parent has likely ever said in Ramadan.

Like we said earlier, everything changes in Ramadan, even social norms. After isha prayer people either perform taraweeh or carry on with their plans, so the social scene is pushed back later. But just like Cinderella, the moment the clock hits midnight on the eve of Eid, coming home at 2 a.m. is no longer an option. Besides, we all have to be up for Eid prayers and/or family breakfast.